It felt like just yesterday I went to Mont Tremblant and now, three weeks later, I was being whisked away on another getaway to cottage country, Muskoka. This time, however, it was to celebrate my birthday and I was lucky enough to be granted my wish of being taken to a spa resort, by my lovely boyfriend. Since we both love road trips and I missed out on going to Scandinave Spa in Tremblant (because of a very persuasive friend), a spa getaway to Muskoka seemed like the perfect idea to start off my new year – fully refreshed and rejuvenated.
After consulting the list of best spa resorts in Ontario (via narcity.com), we ended up choosing JW Marriot The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa – located in Minett, Ontario. My first choice, which also happened to be number one on the list had been Ste. Anne’s Spa. However, after seeing how pricey a one-night stay for the both of us would be, we opted for a more affordable alternative. Spa Rosseau is number five on the top eleven list and I was immediately impressed by the size of their facilities. The entire resort is surrounded by the breathtaking Muskoka Woods, offering couple facilities as well as separated areas for males and females.
When we arrived, I immediately felt right at home. There was complementary apple cider in the lobby and our room was equipped with an electric fireplace that made forgetting the bustle of city life easy. The resort is equipped with two outdoor pools but during our stay, only one was open during the winter/spring season. That wasn’t a problem for me as I only really use the hot spas anyway. The first thing we did when we got there was change into our swimsuits and hop into the outdoor hot tub. Unfortunately, it was snowing that day which made the experience a bit less than satisfying. Not even the temperature of the waters could warm us up from the chill of the wintry conditions.
Although I was a bit disappointed by the outdoor facilities on the first day, the second day definitely made up for it. After brunch, we ventured outdoors to marvel at the magnificent views of Muskoka that this spa resort raves about. It definitely did not disappoint – as soon as you step out to the back terrace, you could see the endless stretch of the Muskoka Lakes. My boyfriend and I ended up venturing all the way down to the boardwalk from the top of the resort. We eventually mustered enough courage to walk on the lake, which had been completely frozen over. This was definitely the highlight of the trip. Not only was I witnessing a million dollar view, I got to experience firsthand the beauty of Muskoka and how refreshing it is to be lost in nature.
After we had enough of the cold spring weather, we came back inside to find the private spa services. All treatments were fully booked that day but we were able to use the entire spa facilities for a price of $90 for the day. This included the oxygen bar, massage chairs, steam room, sauna, whirlpool, HydroMassage beds and relaxation rooms. We were immediately intrigued and purchased the spa package for the day. The hot spas were separated between males and females but we got to meet in the oxygen therapy room and in the couples relaxation room downstairs. What made this experience extra relaxing was that there was essentially no one else using the facilities at the time. The best part? I got to indulge in this lovely whirlpool all by myself.
One of the unique offerings featured at this spa was the oxygen therapy. It included oxygen facials and the oxygen bar filled with bubbling aromatic solutions. These were to be inhaled through your nostrils using an interchangeable tube that you disposed of afterward. This was my first time trying oxygen therapy; it is believed that oxygen releases toxins and brings a sense of overall relaxation to the body. In total, there were four flavoured oxygen bottles available for usage. After trying them all, I enjoyed the lavender “Calming” scented one the most. I’m not sure if I felt any profound effects from inhaling the scented oxygen but it was definitely fun to experiment with the different aromas.
It was a perfect end to our spa getaway. We were also treated to complimentary teas during our time at the spa. Nothing beats lounging in your cozy bathrobe while sipping on a cup of hot tea after a good hour in the steam room or hot tub. After spending a night at the JW Marriot, I was definitely craving for an extra day. For those looking for a quiet spa retreat, I would recommend trying out the spa services and treatments. The outdoor pool area tends to get very busy as it is a family resort. As well, I would love to come back here in the summertime (when the lake has defrosted) to go kayaking or canoeing. All the pools and hot tubs would also be open by that time so there would be a wider variety of activities to choose from – while enjoying that spectacular view.
2 Comments
It’s so beautiful! I must say your boyfriend is really getting a lot better at taking pictures. These are wonderful!
I’m glad you like the photos! It definitely wasn’t hard considering how beautiful Muskoka is already :p